Season’s tribute
Published 12:00 am Monday, November 27, 2000
PROCTORVILLE – About 200 people turned out Saturday for Hall Funeral Home’s "Tree of Life" ceremony, bringing ornaments in memory of their loved ones.
Monday, November 27, 2000
PROCTORVILLE – About 200 people turned out Saturday for Hall Funeral Home’s "Tree of Life" ceremony, bringing ornaments in memory of their loved ones.
"I think this is a wonderful idea," the Rev. Doug Pendleton said about the first-ever memorial. Pendleton also serves as coordinator and bereavement speaker for Hospice of Huntington, W.Va.
"It’s the time of year that people’s lives are painful enough when loved ones are no longer with us."
Ernie and Clorina Hall, who own Hall Funeral Home with their family, know what it can be like losing a loved one and came up with the idea to comfort the bereaved this season, they said.
This year is their first annual Holiday Memorial Service and the "Tree of Life" was put up to focus on bereaved families who have lost loved ones during the past year.
But when word got out, other families from past years became interested and asked if they could join in, the Halls said.
At the end of the ornament hanging, the tree was lit, with more than 1,400 lights on it. The ornaments glistened, giving a loving touch of remembrance and a new meaning of life for those who were there.
Larry and Sue Alberts of Atlanta, Ga., family of the Halls, were in for the Thanksgiving holiday and offered their services with their comforting songs.
Mrs. Hall said even though the ceremony was over, people were still calling and wanting to put ornaments on the tree.
Pendleton said that Hospice has held such memorial services for many years.
"I would like to see more funeral homes get involved in something like this," he said.
"I lost both my husband and son," said Judy Swann of Proctorville. "I didn’t want to go up there two different times. I was afraid I’d break down crying but it was OK. This time of year is always difficult."
"I don’t think this ceremony could be beat," said Betty Moore. "My mother died in December, 1999, and this memorial service has been very comforting to me."
She and Mrs. Swann also helped the Hall’s with the refreshments.
Virginia Whitehead of Greasy Ridge lost her husband in October. She called the ceremony lovely and it meant a lot.
It was good families could all get together and share with others what they are feeling, said Jane Kendrick.
The "Tree of Life" ceremony was a truly great idea, thanks to the hard work of the Halls, Pendleton said.
It was put together with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Hall; Ernie Hall Jr.; Ernie Hall III and his wife, Tara; Ericca Hall and Evan Hall; and many friends, they said.